The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), a German independent science funding agency, has recommended that a national gene bank be established in Germany. It is proposed that this would be similar in form to the UK's Biobank, or other national schemes already operating in Iceland and Estonia.
The DFG Senate Commission on Genetic Research made the recommendation in a report issued on 2 September 2003. Although its recommendations are not binding on German politicians, the organisation is said to have a good reputation and its position is assumed to reflect that of the scientific community.
A number of ethical limitations have been suggested for the proposed gene bank, including that donors will be protected from unauthorised use of their information during the collection, storage and handling of gene samples and related data. Donors must become involved with the gene bank only after having given fully informed consent. The report said that providing this condition was met, 'the collection of specimens and data is ethically and legally justified, even if it is not directly linked to specific research projects'.
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